Max Friedrich Meyer

Meyer was born in Danzig as the son of a goldsmith. He relocated to the USA and became Professor of Experimental Psychology (and initiator of the Psychology Department) of the University of Missouri. His work largely concerned neurology and its relationship to behavior. He was also co-developer of the Lipps–Meyer law (concerning melodic intervals of music). He was dismissed from the University of Missouri due to his academic involvement with a scandalous questionnaire (concerning opinions about marriage and sex) issued as a project by Meyer's student, Orval Hobart Mowrer.[1] The university was subsequently censured by the American Association of University Professors—an early case regarding academic freedom due a professor.[2]

Meyer invented the tonality diamond, popularized by the theories of composer Harry Partch.[3] He was the 1930 President of the Midwestern Psychological Association[4] and the 1930 President of the Southern Society for Philosophy and Psychology.[5] He was identified as one of the most important psychologists of the period 1600–1967.[6]

^Nelson, Lawrence J. (2003). Rumors of Indiscretion: The University of Missouri "Sex Questionnaire" Scandal in the Jazz Age. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. ISBN0-8262-1449-5.

^A.J. Carlson (February 1930). "Report on the Dismissal of Professor DeGraff and the Suspension of Professor Meyer". Bulletin of the American Association of University ProfessorsXVI (2): 2–35. doi:10.2307/40218216.

A.J. Carlson (February 1930). "Report on the Dismissal of Professor DeGraff and the Suspension of Professor Meyer". Bulletin of the American Association of University ProfessorsXVI (2): 2–35. doi:10.2307/40218216.